TRENDING:

FEATURED:

5 artifacts at Bible Museum believed to be fake, will no longer be displayed

Five artifacts at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., that were thought to be part of the Dead Sea Scrolls are believed to be fakes and will no longer be displayed, the museum announced Monday.

A German-based research institute tested the artifacts and found that they "show characteristics inconsistent with ancient origin and therefore will no longer be displayed at the museum," the museum said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jeffrey Kloha, the chief curatorial officer for the museum, said in the statement that the results of the testing are "an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artifacts."

"Though we had hoped the testing would render different results, this is an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artifacts, the elaborate testing process undertaken and our commitment to transparency," he said.

"As an educational institution entrusted with cultural heritage, the museum upholds and adheres to all museum and ethical guidelines on collection care, research and display."

The museum sent the five artifacts to the German institute in April of last year, several months before the museum's grand opening.

Kipp Davis, a scholar at Trinity Western University, said in the statement that he continues to study the museum's fragments and that "conclusions on the status of the remaining fragments are still forthcoming.”

CNN reported in November of last year, around the time the museum held its grand opening, that some scholars were skeptical of the fragments and believed they may be forgeries designed to trick American evangelicals.